Telescoping support stand apparatus

ABSTRACT

A telescoping support stand comprising a first tube partially defining a first enclosed area and a second tube partially defining a second enclosed area. A first end of the second tube may be telescopically slidable within the first tube. The telescoping support stand may also comprise a first locking mechanism attached to the second tube. The first locking mechanism may releasably secure the first tube to the second tube to prevent longitudinal movement of the first tube relative to the second tube. The telescoping support stand may also comprise a first air exchange aperture dimensioned to allow air to flow between the first and second enclosed areas. The telescoping support stand may further comprise a release mechanism and a release rod attached to the first locking mechanism. The release mechanism may comprise a displacement member adjacent to the release rod, the displacement member being configured to displace the release rod and release the first locking mechanism. A corresponding method of assembly is also disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No.11/556,606, filed 3 Nov. 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated,in its entirety, by this reference. Application Ser. No. 11/556,606, andlikewise this application, claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/771,751, filed 9 Feb. 2006, the disclosure of whichis incorporated in its entirety by this reference.

BACKGROUND

Support stands, such as microphone stands and shooting stands, ofteninclude telescoping tubes that allow the height of the stands to beadjusted. These telescoping stands may have an inner tube, an outertube, and a lock that keeps the inner tube from sliding relative to theouter tube. Such stands may be used in situations that require thestands to be rugged and capable of withstanding the elements. Forexample, hunter's shooting stands, microphone stands, telescope stands,and camera stands are often used outdoors. The components of a standintended for outdoor use may need to be sealed and tightly fitted tokeep water, dirt, and other debris from getting inside the tubes of thestand.

A user may adjust the height of a telescoping support stand by releasingthe lock and moving the inner tube up and down within the outer tube.The lock may be a collar that is rotatable to compress the inner tubeand the outer tube, binding them at a set length. The lock may also be aset screw bolt that passes through the outer tube and presses againstthe inner tube. One problem with these types of locks is the time ittakes for a user to turn the collar or bolt when making a heightadjustment to the stand. Another problem with these locks is that theuser may have to hold the inner tube in position while fastening thelock, thus requiring the use of two hands.

Some support stands are equipped with an external trigger connected toan internal lock that secures the inner tube to the outer tube. Thislocking configuration may allow a user to make quick height adjustmentsand may permit the user to make adjustments using only one hand. Foradditional convenience and adjustment speed, the external trigger may beplaced on a handle attached to the top of the inner tube. While thereare many benefits to a quick-adjustment configuration that utilizes aninternal locking mechanism and a handle trigger, there are numerousproblems associated with such a support stand configuration.

For example, an internal lock may restrict the flow of air between theinner and outer tubes. The internal lock may be sized to fit snuglywithin the inner tube and press securely against the outer tube, whichcloses off the air passageway between the inner and outer tubes.Furthermore, as previously mentioned, support stands are oftenmanufactured to keep water and other debris out, which prevents air fromfreely flowing in and out of the stand. Thus, air cannot easily flowinto, out of, or between the tubes of rugged support stands withinternal locks.

When air is unable to quickly enter, exit, or flow between the tubes ofa support stand, it is more difficult to make rapid height adjustmentsto the stand. For example, when a user attempts to extend the length ofthe stand, the volume inside the outer tube expands, but air is not ableto rapidly enter the outer tube and fill the new volume. This vacuumeffect creates resistance against a user's attempt to increase theheight of the stand. Conversely, when a user attempts to shorten thestand, the volume inside the outer tube decreases. A dampening effectresults when air is not able to quickly exit the outer tube. Thisdampening effect creates resistance against a user's attempt to shortenthe stand.

When the airflow within a stand is restricted, a user may need to usetwo hands to overcome the vacuum and dampening effects to adjust theheight of the stand. For example, users may hold the inner tube with onehand while pulling down on the outer tube with the other hand. Users mayalso hold the outer tube between their feet while pulling up on theinner tube. This situation is undesirable when the user needs to make aquick adjustment or does not have a free hand to help make theadjustment.

Another problem with the quick-adjustment stand configuration is that auser may inadvertently pull the trigger while gripping the handle. Forexample, a hunter targeting a moving bull elk may keep one hand on thehandle of a shooting stand to be ready to make height adjustments.However, in the excitement of taking a shot at the large bull, with theweight of a gun resting on the shooting stand, the hunter mayaccidentally activate the trigger on the stand, which would drop theheight of the stand as he shoots. This situation is dangerous and couldresult in an inaccurate shot.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to at least one embodiment, a telescoping support stand maycomprise a first tube partially defining a first enclosed area and asecond tube partially defining a second enclosed area, a first end ofthe second tube being telescopically slidable within the first tube. Thetelescoping support stand may also comprise a first locking mechanismattached to the second tube, the first locking mechanism releasablysecuring the first tube to the second tube to prevent longitudinalmovement of the first tube relative to the second tube. The telescopingsupport stand may further comprise a first air exchange aperturedimensioned to allow air to flow between the first and second enclosedareas. In certain embodiments, the first air exchange aperture maycomprise an opening in the first locking mechanism. In some embodiments,the first air exchange aperture may comprise a gap between the firstlocking mechanism and the first tube. In many embodiments, the first airexchange aperture may comprise a notch in the first locking mechanism.

The telescoping support stand may also comprise a second air exchangeaperture dimensioned to allow air to exit the second tube. In certainembodiments, the second air exchange aperture may comprise an opening inthe second tube. The telescoping support stand may include a headattached to a second end of the first tube, and the second air exchangeaperture may allow air to flow from the second tube into the head. Insome embodiments, the telescoping support stand may include a third airexchange aperture dimensioned to allow air to exit the head.

In certain embodiments, the first locking mechanism may comprise atruncated-cone member attached to the first end of the second tube and abearing assembly comprising a bearing retainer and a plurality ofbearings. The bearing retainer may comprise an opening for receiving thetruncated-cone member, and the bearing assembly may be movable betweenfirst and second positions relative to the truncated-cone member. Insome embodiments, the truncated-cone member may be dimensioned to pressthe bearings against an interior surface of the first tube while in thefirst position, and the truncated-cone member may be dimension to allowthe bearings to move away from the interior surface of the first tubewhile in the second position. In certain embodiments, the truncated-conemember may partially define the first air exchange aperture. In someembodiments, the bearing assembly may at least partially define thefirst air exchange aperture, and the first locking mechanism maypartially define each of the first and second enclosed areas.

In many embodiments, the telescoping support stand may comprise arelease mechanism attached to a second end of the second tube. Therelease mechanism may be movable to release the first locking mechanismto allow longitudinal movement of the first tube relative to the secondtube. In some embodiments, the release mechanism may comprise a handleattached to the second end of the second tube, the handle comprising anoutside surface. The telescoping support stand may also comprise atrigger attached to the handle, the trigger comprising an inside surfacepositioned opposite the outside surface of the handle, the trigger beingdimensioned to allow a user to hold the handle by placing a portion of ahand between the outside surface of the handle and the inside surface ofthe trigger, the trigger being movable to release the first lockingmechanism to allow longitudinal movement of the first tube relative tothe second tube.

According to certain embodiments, the telescoping support stand maycomprise a release rod attached to the first locking mechanism, and thefirst air exchange aperture may comprise an opening in the release rod.The telescoping support stand may also comprise a release mechanismmovable to cause the release rod to release the first locking mechanismand allow longitudinal movement of the first tube relative to the secondtube.

In some embodiments, the telescoping support stand may comprise a thirdtube partially defining a third enclosed area, a first end of the thirdtube being telescopically slidable within the second tube. Thetelescoping support stand may also comprise a second locking mechanismattached to the third tube, the second locking mechanism releasablysecuring the second tube to the third tube to prevent longitudinalmovement of the second tube relative to the third tube. Furthermore, thetelescoping support stand may include a second air exchange aperturedimensioned to allow air to flow between the second and third enclosedareas.

In certain embodiments, the telescoping support stand may comprise afirst leg comprising the first and second tubes and a second legattached to the first leg, the second leg comprising third and fourthtubes. According to some embodiments, the telescoping support stand maycomprise a head attached to the first tube, the head being adapted toattach to at least one of: a microphone clip, a camera, a telescope, aspotting scope, binoculars, a surveyor level, and/or a gun rest. The gunrest may be attached to a second end of the second tube.

In certain embodiments, the first air exchange aperture may extendbetween the first and second enclosed areas. In some embodiments, thefirst locking mechanism may be released by pulling the first tube awayfrom the second tube.

According to at least one embodiment, a telescoping support stand maycomprise a first tube partially defining a first enclosed area, a secondtube partially defining a second enclosed area, a first end of thesecond tube being telescopically slidable within the first tube, a firstair exchange aperture dimensioned to allow sir to exit the second tube,a locking mechanism attached to the second tube, the locking mechanismreleasably securing the first tube to the second tube to preventlongitudinal movement of the first tube relative to the second tube, anda second air exchange aperture dimensioned to allow air to flow betweenthe first and second enclosed areas.

According to certain embodiments, the second tube at least partiallydefines the first air exchange aperture and the locking mechanism atleast partially defines the second air exchange aperture. In manyembodiments, the second air exchange aperture comprises at least one of:an opening in the locking mechanism, a notch in the locking mechanism, agap between the locking mechanism and an interior surface of the firsttube, and a gap between the locking mechanism and a release rod.

In some embodiments, the telescoping support stand may comprise arelease rod attached to the locking mechanism, wherein the secondaperture comprises an opening in the release rod. The telescopingsupport stand may also comprise a release mechanism in contact with therelease rod, the release mechanism being movable to cause the releaserod to release the locking mechanism and allow longitudinal movement ofthe first tube relative to the second tube. The telescoping supportstand may further comprise an attachment member connecting the releaserod to the release mechanism, wherein the first aperture comprises anopening in the attachment member.

According to many embodiments, the locking mechanism may be adapted toreleasably secure the first tube to the second tube by pressing againstan inside surface of the first tube. The telescoping support stand mayalso comprise an end cap attached to the first tube, wherein the endcap, the first tube, and the locking mechanism define the first enclosedarea. The telescoping support stand may also comprise a head attached tothe second tube, wherein the head, the second tube, and the lockingmechanism define the second enclosed area.

According to at least one embodiment, a telescoping support stand maycomprise a leg comprising first and second tubes, a locking mechanismadapted to prevent longitudinal movement of the first tube relative tothe second tube, a handle attached to the leg, the handle comprising anoutside surface. The telescoping support stand may also comprise atrigger attached to the handle, the trigger having an inside surfacepositioned opposite the outside surface of the handle. The trigger maybe dimensioned to allow a user to hold the handle by placing a portionof a hand between the outside surface of the handle and the insidesurface of the trigger, and the trigger may be movable to release thelocking mechanism to allow longitudinal movement of the first tuberelative to the second tube.

In some embodiments, a first end of the second tube is telescopicallyslidable within the first tube and the handle is attached to a secondend of the second tube. In many embodiments, the telescoping supportstand may further comprise a locking mechanism attached to the secondtube, the locking mechanism being responsive to the trigger toreleasably secure the first tube to the second tube to preventlongitudinal movement of the first tube relative to the second tube.According to certain embodiments, the locking mechanism, the secondtube, and the handle may define a first enclosed area. The telescopingsupport stand may also comprise an end cap attached to the first tube,wherein the end cap, the first tube, and the locking mechanism define asecond enclosed area. According to certain embodiments, the telescopingsupport stand comprises a first air exchange aperture dimensioned toallow air to flow between the first and second enclosed areas.

According to various embodiments, the telescoping support stand furthercomprises a second air exchange aperture dimensioned to allow air flowfrom the first enclosed area to the handle. The telescoping supportstand may also include a third air exchange aperture dimensioned toallow air to exit the handle. In some embodiments, the telescopingsupport stand comprises a gun rest attached to the handle.

In at least one embodiment, a method of assembling a telescoping supportstand comprises providing a first tube and providing a second tubecomprising first and second ends, the first end of the second tube beingtelescopically slidable within the first tube. The first tube maypartially define a first enclosed area and the second tube may partiallydefine a second enclosed area. The method may also comprise providing alocking mechanism dimensioned to allow air to flow between the first andsecond enclosed areas. The method may further comprise attaching thelocking mechanism to the second tube at the first end, the lockingmechanism being adapted to releasably secure the first tube to thesecond tube to prevent longitudinal movement of the first tube relativeto the second tube. In various embodiments, the method may compriseattaching a release mechanism to the second tube at the second end, therelease mechanism being movable to release the locking mechanism toallow longitudinal movement of the first tube relative to the secondtube. The method may also comprise sliding the second tube into thefirst tube.

According to at least one embodiment, a telescoping support stand maycomprise a first tube and a second tube. A first end of the second tubemay be telescopically slidable within the first tube. The telescopingsupport stand may also include a truncated cone extending from the firstend of the second tube, a top portion of the truncated cone having alarger diameter than a bottom portion of the truncated cone. Accordingto some embodiments, the telescoping support stand comprises a bearingassembly with bearings. The bearing assembly may be disposed around atleast a portion of the truncated cone such that the bearing assembly ismovable between first and second positions relative to the truncatedcone, the top portion of the truncated cone pushing the bearings againstan inside surface of the first tube when the bearing assembly is in thefirst position, the bottom portion of the truncated cone allowing thebearings to move away from the interior surface of the first tube whenthe bearing assembly is in the second position.

According to at least one embodiment, a telescoping support stand maycomprise a leg with first and second tubes, a locking mechanism adaptedto prevent longitudinal movement of the first tube relative to thesecond tube, a trigger coupled to the locking mechanism, and a springconnected to the trigger to bias the trigger in a first position.

According to at least one embodiment, a telescoping support stand maycomprise a first tube partially defining a first enclosed area, a secondtube partially defining a second enclosed area, and a third tubepartially defining a third enclosed area. A first end of the first tubemay be telescopically slidable within the second tube, and a first endof the second tube may be telescopically slidable within the third tube.A first locking mechanism may be attached to the first tube, and thefirst locking mechanism may releasably secure the first tube to thesecond tube to prevent longitudinal movement of the second tube relativeto the first tube. A second locking mechanism may be attached to thesecond tube, and the second locking mechanism may releasably secure thefirst tube to the second tube to prevent the second tube from collapsinginto the third tube. In certain embodiments, the second lockingmechanism may allow the second tube to be pulled to an expanded positionrelative to the third tube. A first air exchange aperture may allow airto flow between the first and second enclosed areas, and a second airexchange aperture may allow air to flow between the second and thirdenclosed areas.

In some embodiments, the telescoping support stand may further comprisea release rod attached to the first locking mechanism. In variousembodiments, a bottom portion of the first locking mechanism may bedimensioned to release the second locking mechanism.

In additional embodiments, a telescoping support stand may comprise twoor more extendable legs, at least one of the extendable legs comprisinga first tube, a first enclosed area being at least partially definedwithin the first tube. Additionally, at least one of the extendable legsmay comprise a second tube, a first end of the second tube beingtelescopically slidable within the first tube, wherein a second enclosedarea is at least partially defined within the second tube. At least oneof the extendable legs may also comprise a first locking mechanismattached to the second tube, the first locking mechanism releasablysecuring the first tube to the second tube to prevent longitudinalmovement of the first tube relative to the second tube. At least one ofthe extendable legs may additionally comprise a first air exchangeaperture dimensioned to allow air to flow between the first and secondenclosed areas.

According to various embodiments, a telescoping support stand maycomprise two or more extendable legs, each of the two or more extendablelegs comprising a first tube and a corresponding second tube, the firsttube in each of the two or more extendable legs being telescopicallyslidable within the corresponding second tube. Each of the two or moreextendable legs may additionally comprise a locking mechanism in each ofthe two or more extendable legs, each of the locking mechanisms beingadapted to prevent longitudinal movement of the first tube relative tothe second corresponding tube. Each of the two or more extendable legsmay also comprise a release mechanism coupled to the two or moreextendable legs, the release mechanism being configured to release thelocking mechanism in each of the two or more extendable legs to allowlongitudinal movement of the first tube relative to the correspondingsecond tube in each of the two or more extendable legs.

According to certain embodiments, a method of assembling a telescopingsupport stand may comprise providing two or more extendable legs, atleast one of the extendable legs comprising a first tube, a firstenclosed area being at least partially defined within the first tube.Additionally, at least one of the extendable legs may comprise a secondtube comprising first and second ends, the first end of the second tubebeing telescopically slidable within the first tube, wherein a secondenclosed area is at least partially defined within the second tube. Themethod may further comprise providing a locking mechanism in each of theextendable legs, the locking mechanism being dimensioned to allow air toflow between the first and second enclosed areas. The method mayadditionally comprise attaching the locking mechanism to the second tubeat the first end, the locking mechanism being adapted to releasablysecure the first tube to the second tube to prevent longitudinalmovement of the first tube relative to the second tube. The method mayalso comprise attaching a release mechanism to the second tube at thesecond end, the release mechanism being movable to release the lockingmechanism to allow longitudinal movement of the first tube relative tothe second tube. In addition, the method may comprise sliding the secondtube into the first tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of embodiments of theinstant disclosure and are part of the specification. Together with thefollowing description, the drawings demonstrate and explain theprinciples of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary telescoping support standaccording to certain embodiments.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional side view of the telescoping support standillustrated in FIG. 1 according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional side view of the telescoping support standillustrated in FIG. 1 according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional side view of the telescoping support standillustrated in FIG. 1 according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional side view of the telescoping support standillustrated in FIG. 1 in an extended position according to certainembodiments.

FIG. 3B is a perspective cross-sectional view of a handle of atelescoping support stand according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 3C is a perspective cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism ofa telescoping support stand according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the telescoping support standillustrated in FIG. 1 according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary locking mechanism attachedto an inner tube according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a truncated-cone member of the lockingmechanism illustrated in FIG. 5 according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a truncated-cone member according tocertain embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional top view of an exemplary locking mechanismaccording to certain embodiments.

FIG. 8 is another cross-sectional top view of an exemplary lockingmechanism according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 9 is an exploded side view of an exemplary telescoping supportstand according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary crown nut according tocertain embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an exemplary handle of a telescoping supportstand according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary telescoping support standwith three legs according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary telescoping support standwith a tripod base according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of an exemplary bipod telescoping supportstand according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the exemplary bipod telescopingsupport stand illustrated in FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary telescopingsupport stand with three tubes according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional side view of the telescoping support standof FIG. 15 according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of the telescoping support standof FIG. 15 according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional side view of the telescoping support standof FIG. 15 according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a bottom portion of a telescopingsupport stand according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a telescoping support stand accordingto certain embodiments.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a telescoping supportstand according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional side view of a top portion of a telescopingsupport stand according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional side view of the top portion of atelescoping support stand according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional side view of the top portion of atelescoping support stand according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 25 is a cut-away perspective view of a connection housing of atelescoping support stand according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a telescoping support stand accordingto certain embodiments.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a telescoping support stand accordingto certain embodiments.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional side view of a top portion of a telescopingsupport stand according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 29 is a cut-away side view of a connection housing of a telescopingsupport stand according to certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout the drawings identical reference characters and descriptionsindicate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. Whileembodiments of the instant disclosure are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detailherein. However, one of skill in the art will understand thatembodiments of the instant disclosure are not intended to be limited tothe particular forms disclosed herein. Rather, the instant disclosurecovers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe scope of embodiments defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a telescoping support stand according tosome embodiments. Telescoping support stand 100 may include an outertube 140 and an inner tube 150, and inner tube 150 may be telescopicallyslidable within outer tube 140. Inner tube 150 may have a smallerdiameter than outer tube 140, which may allow inner tube 150 to betelescopically slidable within outer tube 140. Inner tube 150 and outertube 140 may be referred to as a leg of telescoping support stand 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, outer tube 140 and inner tube 150 may be cylindricalelongate tubes. In certain embodiments, outer tube 140 and inner tube150 may be any shape of elongate tube. For example, inner tube 150 andouter tube 140 may be rectangular, elliptical, or triangular elongatetubes. Outer tube 140 and inner tube 150 may be formed of any type orcombination of materials, such as metal (e.g., aluminum or stainlesssteel), plastic, wood, or any other suitable material. Inner tube 150and outer tube 140 may also be various lengths.

Inner tube 150 may be connected to a head, such as a handle 110, asshown in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments, handle 110 may be attached toouter tube 140 instead of being attached to inner tube 150. Handle 110may include a release mechanism, such as a trigger 120. According tosome embodiments, a release mechanism may also be a button or other anyother device capable of actuating a locking mechanism. While trigger 120is shown in FIG. 1 to be attached to handle 110, trigger 120 may also beattached to other portions of telescoping support stand 100. Forexample, trigger 120 may be attached directly to inner tube 150 or toouter tube 140. Handle 110 and trigger 120 may also be formed of anysuitable material, including metal, plastic, or wood.

Trigger 120 may be connected to a locking mechanism. The lockingmechanism may releasably secure outer tube 140 to inner tube 150 toprevent longitudinal movement of inner tube 150 relative to outer tube140. The description of FIGS. 2-9 discuss exemplary locking mechanismsaccording to various embodiments.

Handle 110 may be attached to an accessory, such as a gun rest 130, asshown in FIG. 1. Handle 110 may also be attached to other types ofaccessories, which may include gun mounts, microphone clips, cameras,camcorders, professional photography equipment, telescopes, surveyors'equipment, and any other type of equipment, accessory, or attachmentcapable of being attached to handle 110. In certain embodiments, thehead itself may comprise an accessory (e.g., a camera, a gun mount, atelescope, a microphone clip, etc.) or any other type of attachment.

According to some embodiments, gun rest 130 may be v-shaped. Gun rest130 may also be various other shapes. In various embodiments, gun rest130 may be rotatable. Gun rest 130 may be shaped to allow a shooter torest a barrel or other portion of a gun in gun rest 130 to helpstabilize the gun while the shooter is shooting. In some embodiments,telescoping support stand 100 may include a gun mount instead of a gunrest. Gun rest 130 (or any other accessory or head) may include a hookthat allows telescoping support stand 100 to be attached to clothing, abelt, or a pack for easy carrying.

Many other features of telescoping support stand 100 and other exemplarytelescoping support stands are described in the following discussion ofFIGS. 2-19. FIGS. 2-10 discuss, among other things, an air-exchangesystem for a telescoping support stand. The discussion corresponding toFIG. 11 focuses on an extended trigger feature of a telescoping supportstand, and FIGS. 12-19 illustrate additional exemplary telescopingsupport stands and features.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional side view of the exemplary telescopingsupport stand of FIG. 1. FIG. 2A illustrates three enclosed areas insidetelescoping support stand 100, enclosed area 180, enclosed area 185, andenclosed area 190. Enclosed area 180 may be partially or completelywithin inner tube 150. As shown in FIG. 2A, enclosed area 180 may beenclosed on the sides by inner tube 150, on the top by a release rodguide 152, and on the bottom by a locking mechanism 170. Enclosed area180 may also be enclosed on the top by handle 110. In certainembodiments, enclosed area 180 may be enclosed at the top by a head, agun rest, or any other type of accessory. Enclosed area 185 may bepartially or completely within handle 110. In some embodiments, enclosedarea 185 is the empty space within handle 110. According to certainembodiments, the top end of enclosed area 180 is not sealed, andenclosed area 180 may open up into enclosed area 185. Enclosed area 190may be partially or completely enclosed within outer tube 140. Enclosedarea 190 may be enclosed on the sides by outer tube 140, on the bottomby an end cap 144, and on the top by locking mechanism 170. Instead ofbeing enclosed by end cap 144, in some embodiments enclosed area 190 maybe enclosed by outer tube 140 at the bottom.

Enclosed areas 180 and 190 may be completely or substantially air-tight.For example, end cap 144 may be sealed or attached to outer tube 140such that little or no air can escape from enclosed area 190 through oraround end cap 144. Release rod guide 160 may be secured at the top endof inner tube 150 such that little or no air can escape through the topof inner tube 150. When air is unable to quickly enter and exit enclosedareas 180 and 190, vacuum and dampening effects slow the ability oftelescoping support stand 100 to move between collapsed and expandedpositions. In some embodiments, the bottom of enclosed area 190 and thetop of enclosed area 180 may be referred to as substantially air-tightwhen, without any type of air exchange system, dampening and vacuumaffects are present when the telescoping support stand is adjusted.

According to certain embodiments, locking mechanism 170 may divideenclosed area 180 from enclosed area 190. For example, locking mechanism170 may be attached to an end of inner tube 150, as shown in FIG. 2A.Locking mechanism 170 may also be disposed within inner tube 150 at alocation other than an end of inner tube 150. For example, inner tube150 may include openings that allow portions of locking mechanism 170 toextend through inner tube 150 and contact outer tube 140. Lockingmechanism 170 may be able to releasably secure inner tube 150 to outertube 140 by pressing against an inside surface of outer tube 140. Incertain embodiments, locking mechanism 170 may be attached to outer tube140.

FIG. 2A also illustrates additional features of handle 110. The trigger120 includes an inner curved, sloped or contoured inner surface which,in combination with handle 110, defines an open area for a person'shand, finger, or fingers. Handle 110, as shown in FIG. 2A, may includean accessory attachment member 112. Accessory attachment member 112 mayinclude a threaded member for securing handle 110 to an attachment, suchas gun rest 130. Accessory attachment member 112 may be rotated to screwa threaded member into an attachment. Handle 110 may also include anadjustment member 122 attached to trigger 120. Adjustment member 122 mayallow a user to adjust the spacing between adjustment member 122 and arelease rod 160. For example, if there is play in trigger 120 (e.g.,there is a gap between adjustment member 122 and release rod 160)adjustment member 122 may be moved to take the play out of trigger 120.

When trigger 120 is pulled toward handle 110, adjustment member 122 maypress down on release rod 160. As shown in FIG. 2A, release rod 160 maybe attached to locking mechanism 170. Thus, release rod 160 may couplelocking mechanism 170 to trigger 120, releasing locking mechanism 170when trigger 120 is pulled toward handle 110. Thus, the height oftelescoping support stand 100 may be adjusted while trigger 120 ispulled. When trigger 120 is released, locking mechanism 170 may secureinner tube 150 to outer tube 140 and prevent further height adjustmentof telescoping support stand 100.

FIG. 2A also shows an end cap 142 below handle 110. End cap 142 may beattached to a top end of outer tube 140 and may serve multiple purposes.For example, end cap 142 may prevent inner tube 150 from beingcompletely separated or pulled from outer tube 140. End cap 142 may alsoserve to substantially seal outer tube 140 to inner tube 150 to preventwater, dirt, or debris from entering outer tube 140, thus substantiallypreventing air from entering or exiting outer tube 140 through or aroundend cap 142.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional diagram of handle 110. As shown in FIG. 2B,inner tube 150 may include openings 151 and 153. Opening 151 may be anair exchange aperture that allows air to flow between enclosed area 180and enclosed area 185. Openings 153 may receive pegs extending fromhandle 110, allowing handle 110 to hold inner tube 150 in place. Handle110 may also include an opening 121. Opening 121 may be under and/orabove trigger 120. In some embodiments, opening 121 may also extendaround the sides of trigger 120. Opening 121 may be an air exchangeaperture allowing air to enter and exit enclosed area 185 (and therebyallowing air to enter an exit telescoping support stand 100.)

FIG. 2B also shows that adjustment member 122 may include a wedge-shapedmember 124. When adjustment member 122 is turned counter-clockwise,wedge-shaped member 124 may move to the right and may take up slackbetween wedge-shaped member and release rod 160. When adjustment member122 is turned clockwise, wedge-shaped member 124 may move to the leftand reduce pressure on release rod 160.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional diagram of a bottom portion of telescopingshooting stand 100. FIG. 2C shows that locking mechanism 170 may includea truncated-cone member 172, a bearing retainer 174, bearings 176, atubular member 178, and a spring 179. FIG. 2C also shows end cap 144 andan accessory attachment member 146.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional diagram of telescoping support stand 100 inan extended position. As shown in FIG. 3A, trigger 120 may be pulledtowards handle 110 to release locking mechanism 170 and allow outer tube140 to slide longitudinally relative to inner tube 150. The volume ofenclosed area 190 may increase substantially when telescoping supportstand 100 is extended. If enclosed area 190 is substantially air-tight,air will not be able to quickly enter enclosed area 190 when outer tube140 is moved to an extended position. Even if some air is able to enterenclosed area 190 around end cap 144 or through locking mechanism 170, avacuum effect may slow or inhibit movement of outer tube 140 to anextended position if air is not able to quickly enter and exit enclosedarea 190. Thus, telescoping support stand 100 may include air exchangeapertures that allow air to enter and exit enclosed area 190, therebyreducing or eliminating the vacuum and dampening affects caused whenenclosed area 190 is substantially sealed.

FIG. 3A shows an air-flow path F, which illustrates air flow through airexchange apertures when outer tube 140 is being moved to an extendedposition. In other words, air-flow path F illustrates an example of howair may flow through air exchange apertures when the height oftelescoping support stand 100 is increased. When telescoping supportstand 100 is extended, the volume of enclosed area 190 increases and airmay be pulled through a first air exchange aperture into enclosed area185, through a second air exchange aperture into enclosed area 180, andthrough a third air exchange aperture into enclosed area 190. The firstair exchange aperture may be an opening or other air inlet in handle110. The second air exchange aperture may be an opening in inner tube150 or an opening in or around release rod guide 152. The third airexchange aperture may be an opening in, around, or through lockingmechanism 170. The first, second, and third air exchange apertures mayserve to reduce or eliminate the vacuum effect caused when telescopingsupport stand 100 is substantially air-tight, and outer tube 140, may beable to move quickly (i.e., approximately one or two seconds or less, ascompared to several seconds) to an extended position relative to innertube 150. The vacuum effect may also be reduced by including only one ortwo of the first, second, and third air exchange apertures intelescoping support stand 100. And in some embodiments, more than threeair exchange apertures may be included in telescoping support stand 100.

When telescoping support stand 100 is collapsed, the volume of enclosedarea 190 decreases and air may be pushed out of telescoping supportstand 100 through the first, second, and third air exchange apertures.Thus, the first, second, and third air exchange apertures may serve toreduce or eliminate the dampening effect caused when telescoping supportstand 100 is substantially air-tight, and telescoping support stand 100may be able to be quickly moved to a collapsed position. The dampeningeffect may also be reduced by including only one or two of the first,second, and third air exchange apertures in telescoping support stand100.

FIG. 3B is a perspective cross-sectional view of handle 100, andillustrates exemplary first and second air exchange apertures. Opening128, which may allow air to flow around trigger 120 and enter enclosedarea 185, may be the first air exchange aperture. Opening I51, which mayallow air to flow between enclosed areas 180 and 185, may be the secondair exchange aperture. Handle 110 may also include other air exchangeapertures in addition to or instead of opening 128. FIG. 3B alsoillustrates another embodiment of trigger 120. Instead of havingwedge-shaped member 124, trigger 120 may include a lower portion 128that contacts release rod 160 directly. A spring 126 may be provided tobias trigger 120 in a first upward position and eliminate play intrigger 120. Thus, spring 126 may reduce or eliminate the need foradjustment member 122.

FIG. 3C is a perspective cross-sectional view of locking mechanism 170with air exchange apertures that allow air to flow between enclosed area180 and enclosed area 190. For example, a gap 183, which is between anupper portion tubular member 178 and inner tube 150, may allow air toflow past the upper portion of tubular member 178. Notches 173 intruncated cone member 172, may allow air to flow past truncated conemember 172. Notches 173 are also shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6A, and 6B. A gap177, which is between bearing retainer 174 and outer tube 140, may allowair to flow past bearing retainer 140 and into enclosed area 190. Thus,to flow between enclosed areas 180 to 190, air may flow through gap 183,notches 173, and gap 177.

While FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C show air flow in a downward direction (thedirection air flows when telescoping support stand 100 is beingextended), those of skill in the art will appreciate that air may alsoflow in the opposite (upward) direction through the air exchangeapertures illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C. Air may flow in an upwarddirection when telescoping support stand 100 is being collapsed.

FIGS. 4-10 illustrate various embodiments of air exchange apertures thatmay be included in telescoping support stands. According to certainembodiments, one of the air exchange apertures illustrated in FIGS. 4-10may be included in a telescoping support stand without including anyother air exchange apertures in the telescoping support stand. In someembodiments, any or all of the air exchange apertures illustrated inFIGS. 4-10 may be included together in a telescoping support stand.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of telescoping support stand 100.As shown in FIG. 4, handle 110 may be divided into a handle section 114and a handle section 116. Handle sections 114 and 116 may be shaped tofit together to hold release rod guide 152, trigger 120, and accessoryattachment member 112. Release rod guide 152 may be attached to a topend of inner tube 150 and may include an opening through which releaserod 160 may pass. In some embodiments, release rod guide 152 may fitsnugly within inner tube 150 and snugly around release rod 160,substantially preventing air from passing through the top end of innertube 150. In other embodiments, release rod guide 152 may at leastpartially define air exchange apertures that allow air to enter and exitenclosed area 180 through or around release rod guide 152. For example,release rod guide 152 may be dimensioned to allow air to pass betweenrelease rod guide 152 and release rod 160, providing an air exchangeaperture between release rod guide 152 and release rod 160 (i.e., an airexchange aperture partially defined by release rod guide 152 andpartially defined by release rod 160). Release rod guide 152 may alsoinclude air exchange openings extending between enclosed area 180 and anarea enclosed by handle 110. In some embodiments, release rod guide 152may also function as a silencer, reducing noise from the movement ofinternal parts of telescoping support stand 100.

Inner tube 150 may include air exchange apertures. For example, opening151, as previously mentioned, may be an air exchange aperture thatallows air to enter and exit enclosed area 180. As shown in FIG. 4,opening 151 may be a circular opening in inner tube 150. Opening 151 mayalso be any other shape or size of air exchange aperture in inner tube150. Inner tube 150 may also include additional openings 153. Openings153 may receive pegs extending from handle sections 114 and 116 tosecure handle sections 114 and 116 to inner tube 150. In certainembodiments, openings 153 may be large enough to allow air to passbetween the posts and inner tube 150.

FIG. 4 also illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary lockingmechanism 170. As previously mentioned, locking mechanism 170 mayinclude truncated-cone member 172, bearing retainer 174, bearings 176,tubular member 178, and spring 179. Tubular member 178 may be a cylinderwith a an opening through the middle. As shown in FIG. 4, the openingmay receive release rod 160. In some embodiments, tubular member 178 maybe attached to release rod 178 so that tubular member 178 will move whenrelease rod 160 moves. Bearing retainer 174 may hold bearings 176 inplace and may be attached to tubular member 178.

Truncated-cone member 172, in some embodiments, may be disposed aroundtubular member 178 such that a tapered portion of truncated-cone member172 comes into contact with bearings 176. A top portion oftruncated-cone member 172 may be threaded to allow truncated-cone member172 to attach to inner tube 150. Thus, when release rod 160 movestubular member 178 and bearing retainer 174 in a downward direction,truncated-cone member 172 may stay stationary relative to tubular member178 and bearing retainer 174. Spring 179 may be positioned on top of orwithin truncated-cone member 172 and may bias tubular member 178 andbearing retainer 174 in a first position. In the first position, bearingretainer 174 holds bearings 176 against a top section of the taperedportion of truncated-cone member 172 such that truncated cone member 172presses bearings 176 against an inside surface of outer tube 140. Thus,when bearing retainer 174 is in the first position, bearings 160 mayprevent longitudinal movement of outer tube 140 relative to inner tube150.

As previously mentioned, release rod 160 may press tubular member 178and bearing retainer 174 downward to a second position. In the secondposition, a lower portion of the tapered section of truncated-conemember 172 allows bearings 176 to move away from the inside surface ofouter tube 140. Thus, in the second position, bearings 176 may not beforced against the inside surface of outer tube 140, allowinglongitudinal movement of outer tube 140 relative to inner tube 150. Inother embodiments, bearing retainer 174 may be secured to inner tube150, and truncated-cone member 172 may be attached to release rod 160.In such embodiments, the tapered portion of truncated-cone member 172may be pointed towards handle 110. Trigger 120 may move truncated-conemember 172 in a downward direction to release bearings 176 and allowlongitudinal movement of outer tube 140.

One of skill in the art will recognize various possible modificationsand alternatives to exemplary locking mechanism 170. For example,bearing retainer 174 may contain any number of bearings. In someembodiments, bearing retainer 174 may include three or four bearings. Inother embodiments, bearing retainer 174 may include just one or twobearings or many more than four bearings. According to certainembodiments, bearings 176 are made of metal. In other embodiments,bearings 176 are made of plastic, rubber, or any other suitablematerial. Furthermore, various types of locking mechanisms fall withinthe scope of embodiments described herein. For example, lockingmechanism 170 may include detents that can be pressed into notches inthe inside surface of outer tube 140. The description of FIG. 9 alsomentions other types of locking mechanisms.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate various air exchange apertures within lockingmechanism 170. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of locking mechanism 170attached to inner tube 150. FIG. 5 shows bearing retainer 174 in thefirst position relative to truncated-cone member 172. In the firstposition, bearings 176 are pushed outward such that they protrude frombearing retainer 174. Accordingly, bearings 176 may press against theinside surface of outer tube 140 to secure outer tube 140 to inner tube150. FIG. 5 also illustrates that truncated-cone member 172 may includenotches 173. As previously mentioned, notches 173 may be air exchangeapertures that allow air to pass between inner tube 150 and outer tube140. In certain embodiments, notches 173 may extend between enclosedarea 180 and enclosed area 190.

The configuration of locking mechanism 170 may help to keep lockingmechanism 170 from slipping under a load. When a load is applied to gunrest 130, the load may push inner tube 150 in a downward direction.Locking mechanism 170, in a locked position, keeps inner tube 150 fromsliding down into outer tube 140. In some previous devices, the lockingmechanisms may start to slip if too much downward force is applied togun rest 130. However, locking mechanism 170 may actually fasten moresecurely under a load. This is because downward pressure on inner tube150 may force truncated-cone member 172, which may be attached to abottom end of inner tube 150, further into bearing retainer 174. Whentruncated-cone member 172 is forced further into bearing retainer 174,truncated cone-member 172 causes bearings 176 to press more firmlyagainst the inside surface of outer tube 140. Truncated-cone member 172,particularly when under a load, may apply a rotational force to bearings176 in a direction opposite to the direction that bearings 176 rotatewhen moving downward through outer tube 140. This rotational force mayalso help to keep bearing-member 170 from slipping under a load.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of truncated-cone member 172 of lockingmechanism 170. As shown in FIG. 6A, notches 173 may partially define airexchange apertures that allow air to flow in and out of inner tube 150.Inner tube 150 may also partially define these air exchange apertures.In some embodiments, truncated-cone member 172 may include openings 181in addition to or instead of notches 173. While openings 181 are shownas circular openings, in certain embodiments, openings 181 may includeslits, holes, pinholes, channels, or any other type of apertures thatwill allow air to flow between enclosed areas 180 and 190 throughtruncated-cone member 172. Openings 181 may also be included in anyportion of truncated-cone member 172, including the tapered portion.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of locking mechanism 170 in the firstposition. FIG. 7 shows truncated-cone member 172 may press bearings 176against an inside surface of outer tube 140. Bearings 176 may be held inplace by bearing retainer 174. In some embodiments, gap 177, shownbetween outer tube 140 and bearing retainer 174, may be an air exchangeaperture that allows air to flow between enclosed areas 180 and 190.FIG. 7 also illustrates that gap 163, shown between release rod 160 andtubular member 178, may be an air exchange aperture. Release rod 160 mayinclude notches 161 that extend along a portion or the entire length ofrelease rod 160. Notches 161 and gap 163 may be air exchange aperturesextending between enclosed areas 180 and 190. In some embodiments,notches 161 and gap 163 may both be included as air exchange apertures.In some embodiments, notches 161 and/or gap 163 may not be present.While four notches 161 are illustrated in FIG. 7, any number of notchesmay be included in release rod 160.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of locking mechanism 170 in the secondposition. As illustrated, truncated-cone member 172 may allow bearings176 to move away from the inner surface of outer tube 140. In someembodiments, locking mechanism 170 may include an air exchange aperture175 between truncated-cone member 172 and bearing retainer 174. And incertain embodiments, air exchange aperture 175 may include gaps betweenbearing retainer 174 and bearings 176. Air exchange aperture 175 mayallow air to flow around bearings 176 and through locking mechanism 170,thereby allowing air exchange between enclosed areas 180 and 190.

According to various embodiments, telescoping support stand 100 mayinclude internal air exchange apertures and may also be substantiallysealed such that water, dirt, and other debris cannot easily enterenclosed areas 180 and 190. Thus, telescoping support stand 100 may beboth rugged and quickly adjustable.

FIG. 9 is an exploded side view of an exemplary telescoping supportstand 200. Telescoping support stand 200 may include a handle 210, atrigger 220, and a rest 230. Rest 230 may comprise a gun rest, amicrophone clip, a camera mount, a telescope mount, a binocular spottingscope mount, a binocular mount, a surveyor level mount, etc. Telescopingsupport stand 200 may also include a first tube 250, a second tube 270,and a third tube 240. First tube 250 may partially define a firstenclosed area, second tube 270 may partially define a second enclosedarea, and third tube 240 may partially define a third enclosed area.First tube 250 may be slidable within second tube 270, and second tube270 may be slidable within third tube 240. According to someembodiments, telescoping support stand 200 may include two tubes or morethan three tubes. Similarly, telescoping support stand 100 may alsoinclude three or more tubes.

A release rod 260 may be attached to a crown nut 252, or to any otherattachment member, to hold release rod 260 inside of handle 210. An endcap 256 may be attached to a top end of first tube 250, and a spring 254may be disposed around release rod 260. Spring 254 may sit on end cap256 and press against crown nut 252 to bias release rod 260 in a firstposition. In certain embodiments, a top portion of end cap 256 may berecessed and spring 254 may sit within end cap 256. Release rod 260 maybe attached to a male truncated-cone member 264, and a locking ring 262may be disposed around male truncated-cone member 264 and a femaletruncated cone-member 258. Female truncated-cone member 258 may beattached to or formed in a bottom portion of first tube 250. In thefirst position, release rod 260 may pull male truncated-cone member 264towards or into female truncated-cone member 258 to force locking ring262 to expand.

When locking ring 262 expands, it may press against an inside surface ofsecond tube 270. Thus, locking ring 262 may prevent longitudinalmovement of second tube 270 relative to first tube 250 when release rod260 and male truncated-cone member 264 are in the first position. Insome embodiments, locking mechanism 270 may include rubber or plasticrings or pads instead of locking ring 262.

When trigger 220 is pulled, it may press down against crown nut 252 toforce release rod 260 and male truncated-cone member 264 into a secondposition. In the second position, male truncated-cone member 264 mayallow locking ring 262 to contract and release second tube 270, allowinglongitudinal movement of second tube 270 relative to first tube 250. Insome embodiments, a second locking ring may be disposed around a secondset of male and female truncated-cone members, and the second lockingring may releasably secure second tube 270 to third tube 240.

Release rod 260 may be hollow and may include openings 261. Openings 261may be air exchange apertures that allow air to flow between the firstenclosed area and the inside of release rod 260. Release rod 260 mayalso be open at a top end to allow air to flow between release rod 260and an area enclosed by handle 210. Release rod 260 may also be open ata bottom end to allow air to flow between the second enclosed area andthe area enclosed by handle 210. In other words, air may flow betweenthe first enclosed area and the second enclosed area through release rod260. Air may also flow between the first enclosed area and the areaenclosed by handle 210 through release rod 260. And in some embodiments,air may flow between the second enclosed area and the area enclosed byhandle 210 through release rod 260. Thus, the hollow region withinrelease rod 260 may comprise an air exchange aperture.

First tube 250 may include openings 251 and 253. Opening 251 may be anair exchange aperture that allows air to flow between the first enclosedarea and the area enclosed by handle 210. Openings 253 may receive postsextending from handle 210 to secure handle 210 to first tube 250.Openings 253 may be large enough to allow air to pass between the postsand first tube 250. Crown nut 252 may also include openings 255, asillustrated in FIG. 10. Openings 255 may allow air to enter and exit thetop end of release rod 260. In other words, openings 255 may be airexchange apertures that allow air to flow between the area enclosed byhandle 110 and the hollow area within release rod 260.

The air exchange apertures described herein may be openings, slits,holes, pinholes, channels, gaps, or any other type of apertures thatwill allow air to enter and exit an enclosed area. In some embodiments,a telescoping support stand may include a single air exchange aperture.In other embodiments, a telescoping support stand may include numerousair exchange apertures. As used herein, the term air exchange aperturemay refer to a single aperture or multiple apertures that allow air toflow between enclosed areas.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a handle 310 on a telescoping support stand300 according to certain embodiments. Handle 310 includes a trigger withan inside surface 322 facing an outside surface 314 of handle 310 todefine an opening therebetween. Inside surface 322 may be curved,sloped, or contoured to facilitate and direct a person's hand into theopening 323 and avoid catching the front surface 325 of the trigger 320.Trigger 320 may be dimensioned to allow a user's hand, finger, orfingers to easily slide into opening 323 and fit comfortably betweenoutside surface 314 of handle 310 and inside surface 322 of trigger 320.The configuration of handle 310 allows the support stand to be carriedeither by itself of with an accessory (e.g., a camera, spotting scope,binoculars, etc.) attached to the support stand while minimizing therisk that the trigger 120 will accidentally be deployed. Space 323 may,in one embodiment, have a dimension of approximately 1¼ inches at itswidest, open end and a dimension of approximately ½ inch at a locationcorresponding to an index finger of a person holding the support stand.FIG. 11 illustrates a user's finger 311 between outside surface 314 andinside surface 322. The configuration of handle 310 and trigger 320 mayallow a user to quickly slide his or her hand up the handle and intoopening 323 to firmly grasp handle 310 without the risk of accidentallypulling trigger 320.

Handle 310 also includes an accessory attachment member 312, whichcontains an inner screw 316 and an outer screw 318. Outer screw 318 maybe spring-loaded, which allows outer screw 318 to be pressed down inorder to expose the threads of inner screw 316. If an attachment isconfigured to receive outer screw 318, the attachment may simply screwonto outer screw 318. If an attachment is configured to receive innerscrew 316, outer screw 318 may be pressed down, exposing the threads ofinner screw 316.

Handle 310 may have a flat top portion 319 where an attachment may beconnected. Top portion 319 may include a rubber pad that helps gripaccessories. Top portion 319 may also include locking notches thataccept locking beads from an accessory, thereby preventing the accessoryfrom rotating.

FIG. 12 illustrates a telescoping support stand 400 with three legs. Afirst leg may include an inner tube 440 and an outer tube 450. A secondleg may include an inner tube 442 and an outer tube 452. A third leg mayinclude an inner tube 444 and an outer tube 454. Each inner tube 440,442, and 444 may include a locking mechanism for preventing longitudinalmovement of a respective outer tube 450, 452, and 454. Telescopingsupport stand 400 may also include a handle 410 with a trigger 420.Trigger 420 may be coupled to the locking mechanisms in each of the legsand may be able to release simultaneously each of the lockingmechanisms, thereby allowing simultaneous adjustment of each of thethree legs. Alternatively, a separate handle 410/trigger 420 mechanismmay be attached to each telescoping leg to accomplish the legadjustments. A camera 430 may be attached to the top of handle 410. Insome embodiments, telescoping support stand 400 may include 1 or 2 legsor more than 3 legs.

FIG. 13 illustrates telescoping support stand 500 with a tripod base.The tripod base includes three legs 560 attached to an outer tube 540.Outer tube 540 receives inner tube 550, which is attached to a handle510. A telescope or spotting scope 530 may be attached to handle 510.Handle 510 includes a trigger 520 for releasing a locking mechanismattached to inner tube 550. When trigger 520 is pulled, the lockingmechanism is released and a user may adjust the height of telescopingsupport stand 500. When trigger 520 is released, the locking mechanismmay secure inner tube 550 to outer tube 540 and prevent further heightadjustment.

FIG. 14A illustrates a bipod telescoping support stand 600. Bipodtelescoping support stand 600 includes two legs attached to a gun rest630. A first leg includes an outer tube 640, an inner tube 650, a handle610, and a trigger 620. A second leg includes an outer tube 642, aninner tube 652, a handle 612, and a trigger 622. The first leg may beadjusted by pulling trigger 620, and the second leg may be adjusted bypulling trigger 622. FIG. 14B illustrated telescoping support stand 600with the first and second legs in collapsed positions.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary mono-podtelescoping support stand 700 with three tubes. Telescoping supportstand 700 may include a first tube 730, a second tube 740, and a thirdtube 750. An end cap 756 may be attached to a bottom end of third tube750. FIG. 15 also illustrates an enclosed area 732 within first tube730, an enclosed area 742 within second tube 740, and an enclosed area752 within third tube 750. A handle 710 may be attached to a top end offirst tube 730, and a gun rest 720 may be attached to handle 710. Afirst locking mechanism 760 may be attached to a bottom end of firsttube 730, and a second locking mechanism 770 may be attached to a bottomend of second tube 740. First locking mechanism 760 may preventlongitudinal movement of second tube 740 relative to first tube 730, anda second locking mechanism 770 may prevent longitudinal movement ofthird tube 750 relative to second tube 740. A trigger (not shown) maypress against a release rod 780 to release locking mechanism 760,allowing longitudinal movement of second tube 740 relative to first tube730. FIG. 16 shows that first tube 730 may slide into second tube 740until locking mechanism 760 touches locking mechanism 770.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of first locking mechanism 760 incontact with second locking mechanism 770. First locking mechanism 760may include a truncated-cone member 762, a bearing retainer 764,bearings 766, a tubular member 768, and a spring 769. Second lockingmechanism 770 may include a truncated-cone member 772, a bearingretainer 774, bearings 776, a tubular member 778, and a spring 779.

As shown in FIG. 18, first locking mechanism 760 may be released, and abottom portion of first locking mechanism 760 may press tubular member778 in a downward direction. When locking mechanism 760 presses tubularmember 778 down, bearing retainer 774 will also move in a downwarddirection and allow bearings 776 to move away from an inner surface ofthird tube 750. This may allow second tube 740 to collapse into thirdtube 750. Thus, to release first locking mechanism 760, a user may pullthe trigger to cause release rod 780 to press tubular member 768 andbearing retainer 764 in a downward direction. To release second lockingmechanism 770, a user may hold down the trigger and push first tube 730into second tube 740 until locking mechanism 760 presses against lockingmechanism 770. The downward force applied by the user may cause lockingmechanism 760 to press down against locking mechanism 770, therebyreleasing locking mechanism 770 and allowing second tube 740 to slidewithin third tube 750.

When a user desires to increase the height of telescoping support stand700, the user may pull the trigger, which may release locking mechanism760. However, pulling the trigger may not release locking mechanism 770since locking mechanism 770 is not attached to release rod 780. Lockingmechanism 770 may be adapted to allow tube 750 to move to an expandedposition relative to tube 740 even though locking mechanism 770 is notattached to a release device. A user may be able to pull third tube 750to an extended position because a force that pulls third tube 750 awayfrom second tube 740 may pull bearing retainer 774 in a downwarddirection relative to truncated-cone member 772. This movement ofbearing retainer 774 may relax the pressure that bearings 776 apply tothe inside surface of third tube 750, allowing third tube 750 to moverelative to second tube 740. Thus, locking mechanism 770 may be releasedby pulling 750 into an expanded position relative to second tube 740. Insome embodiments, locking mechanism 760 may be released either bypulling the trigger or by pulling second tube 740 into an expandedposition relative to first tube 730.

Telescoping support stand 700 may include air exchange apertures orpassageways that allow air to flow between enclosed areas 732, 742, and752. For example, locking mechanism 760 may include air exchangeapertures or passageways that allow air to flow between enclosed areas732 and 742. Locking mechanism 770 may include air exchange aperturesthat allow air to flow between enclosed areas 742 and 752. First tube730 may include air exchange apertures that allow air to flow fromenclosed area 732 into an area enclosed by handle 710, and handle 710may include air exchange apertures that allow air to enter and exithandle 710. Accordingly, air may be able to flow from enclosed area 752to enclosed area 742, from enclosed area 742 to enclosed area 732, fromenclosed area 732 into handle 710, and then may exit telescoping supportstand through handle 710.

FIG. 19 illustrates a bottom end of third tube 750. An attachment member754 may be affixed to the bottom end of third tube 750. Attachmentmember 754 may be threaded to allow attachment member 754 to receiveattachments. Attachment member 754 may be adapted to be attached to awalking knob, a spike, a hook, a ski pole attachment, or any other typeof attachment. According to some embodiments, third tube 750 may beclosed at the bottom end and may include a threaded hole capable ofreceiving such attachments. As shown in FIG. 19, end cap 756 may beplaced on the bottom end of third tube 750 and over attachment member754.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a telescoping support stand 800 havingextendable legs 841. As shown in FIG. 20, telescoping support stand 800may have a handle 810, a trigger 820, an accessory attachment member812, a rest 830, and two or more extendable legs 841. In additionalembodiments, handle 810 may include a trigger lock 827 configured toprevent and/or allow movement of trigger 820 with respect to handle 810.Extendable legs 841 may each include an inner tube 850, an outer tube840, a first end cap 842 attached to a top end of outer tube 840, and asecond end cap 844 attached to a bottom of outer tube 840. Additionally,telescoping support stand 800 may comprise a connection housing 893.Support stand 800 may also comprise a handle tube 892 coupling handle810 to connection housing 893, as shown in FIG. 20. In the embodiment ofFIG. 20, the handle 810 and handle tube 892 define a handle assembly towhich the two or more extendable legs 841 are connected.

Telescoping support stand 800 may comprise at least two extendable legs841 that may each be adjusted by pulling trigger 820 attached to handle810. As shown in FIG. 22, the trigger 820 pivots about an axis that isperpendicular to a direction of movement of the trigger 820 relative tohandle 810 and perpendicular to a length dimension of the handle 810.FIG. 20 shows telescoping support stand 800 having two extendable legs841 in a partially extended configuration. Extendable legs 841 may alsobe rotationally adjustable with respect to each other. Additionally,extendable legs 841 may be rotationally adjustable with respect tohandle 810 and/or connection housing 893. Extendable legs 841 may becoupled to connection housing 893 and/or handle 810 through any suitablecoupling means.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional perspective view of telescoping supportstand 800 shown in FIG. 20. As shown in this figure, telescoping supportstand 800 may also comprise a displacement rod 891, a displacementmember 894, and an insert member 898 coupling handle tube 892 toconnection housing 893. Joint members 897 may be disposed on and/orwithin an end portion of at least one of extendable legs 841. Jointmembers 897 may also be positioned at least partially within connectionhousing 893, coupling extendable legs 841 to connection housing 893.Additionally, telescoping support stand 800 may comprise an enclosedarea 880 and an enclosed area 890 defined within each of extendable legs841. In certain embodiments, telescoping support stand 800 may alsocomprise an enclosed area 885 adjacent extendable legs 841 and/or jointmembers 897.

In each of extendable legs 841, enclosed area 880 may be definedpartially or completely within inner tube 850. As shown in FIG. 21,enclosed area 880 may be enclosed on the sides by inner tube 850, on thetop by a joint member 897, and on the bottom by a locking mechanism 870.In certain embodiments, enclosed area 880 may also be at least partiallydefined within release rod 860 in at least one of extendable legs 841.Enclosed area 890 may be partially or completely enclosed within outertube 840. Enclosed area 890 may be enclosed on the sides by outer tube840, on the bottom by an end cap 844, and on the top by lockingmechanism 870. Instead of being enclosed by end cap 844, in someembodiments enclosed area 890 may be enclosed by outer tube 840 at thebottom.

According to various embodiments, enclosed area 885 may be partially orcompletely defined within connection housing 893, as shown in FIG. 21.In certain embodiments, enclosed area 885 may also be at least partiallywithin handle tube 892 and/or handle 810. According to variousembodiments, the top end of enclosed area 880 in each of extendable legs841 may be open to enclosed area 885. For example, an aperture may beformed in joint member 897, allowing air or other gas to flow betweenenclosed area 880 and enclosed area 885; as used herein, “air” may referto any suitable gaseous composition, without limitation.

Telescoping support stand 800 may also comprise a locking mechanism 870.According to certain embodiments, locking mechanism 870 may divideenclosed area 880 from enclosed area 890. For example, locking mechanism870 may be attached to an end of inner tube 850, as shown in FIG. 21.Locking mechanism 870 may also be disposed within inner tube 850 at alocation other than an end of inner tube 850. For example, inner tube850 may include openings that allow portions of locking mechanism 870 toextend through inner tube 850 and contact outer tube 840. Lockingmechanism 870 may be capable of releasably securing inner tube 850 toouter tube 840 by pressing against an inside surface of outer tube 840.In certain embodiments, locking mechanism 870 may be attached to outertube 840. Locking mechanism 870 may be the same structurally as thelocking elements 170, 770 described above and illustrated with referenceto FIGS. 1-19.

Enclosed areas 880 and 890 in each of extendable legs 841 may becompletely or substantially air-tight. For example, end cap 844 may besealed or attached to outer tube 840 such that little or no air canescape from enclosed area 890 through or around end cap 844. Release rod860 may be secured at the top end of inner tube 850 such that little orno air can escape through the top of inner tube 850. In variousembodiments, air may freely move directly or indirectly between a topportion of inner tube 850 and an exterior of telescoping support stand800.

In additional embodiments, air may readily flow into and out of enclosedareas 880 and 890 in each of extendable legs 841 through a specific areaof entry and exit. For example, outer tube 840 may be substantially orcompletely closed to air flow, except in and/or around locking mechanism870, where enclosed area 890 may be open to enclosed area 880 in innertube 850. Similarly, outer tube 840 may be substantially or completelyclosed to air flow, except in and/or around locking mechanism 870 asdescribed, as well as in and/or around joint member 897, where enclosedarea 880 may be open to enclosed area 885. Enclosed area 885 may be opento enclosed area 880 in one or more extendable legs 841 as described,and additionally, enclosed area 885 may be open to an exterior oftelescoping support stand 800. Accordingly, air may enter telescopingsupport stand 800 primarily or solely through one or more openingsbetween an exterior of telescoping support stand 800 and enclosed area885, which may prevent debris and/or liquid from entering telescopingsupport stand 800 at a point substantially below connection housing 893,which may in turn protect interior portions of telescoping support stand800 from damage and/or operational difficulties.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of handle 810, handle tube 892, andconnection housing 893 coupled to extendable legs 841. As shown in thisfigure, enclosed area 885 may be at least partially defined withinconnection housing 893. Enclosed area 885 may also be at least partiallydefined by joint members 897 and/or release rods 860. Air may beexchanged between enclosed area 885 and an exterior of telescopingsupport stand 800 through any suitable route. For example, a space maybe formed between connection housing 893 and at least one of jointmembers 897, allowing passage of air between enclosed area 885 and anexterior of telescoping support stand 800. In additional embodiments, anaperture may be formed in a portion of connection housing 893 allowingpassage of air between enclosed area 885 and an exterior of telescopingsupport stand 800.

Air may also be exchanged between enclosed area 885 and enclosed area880 in each of extendable legs 841 through any suitable route. Forexample, a space may be formed between joint member 897 and release rod860, allowing passage of air between enclosed area 885 and enclosed area880. In at least one embodiment, a space between joint member 897 andrelease rod 860 may be formed by providing an aperture through jointmember 897 that has a larger diameter than an outer diameter of releaserod 860. In certain embodiments, a hole may formed in joint member 897,allowing air exchange between enclosed area 885 and enclosed area 880.In additional embodiments, a space may be formed between joint member897 and inner tube 850 and/or a hole may be formed in joint member 897,allowing air exchange between enclosed area 880 and an exterior oftelescoping support stand 800.

While trigger 820 is shown in FIG. 22 to be attached to handle 810,trigger 820 may also be attached to other portions of telescopingsupport stand 800. For example, trigger 820 may be attached directly tohandle tube 892. Additionally, trigger 820 may be positioned adjacent todisplacement rod 891. Trigger 820 may be pulled toward handle 810 and/orhandle tube 892 as illustrated in FIG. 22. As trigger 820 is pulledtoward handle 810, a contact surface 824 of trigger 820 may contact andcause displacement rod 891 to slide in a longitudinal direction withinhandle tube 892. As shown in FIG. 22, displacement rod 891 may beadjacent to and/or coupled to displacement member 894, and additionally,displacement member 894 may be adjacent to one or more release rods 860.Accordingly, displacement rod 891 may cause displacement member 894 todisplace one or more release rods 860 longitudinally within one or moreextendable legs 841, releasing locking mechanisms 870 in extendable legs841 when trigger 820 is pulled toward handle 810. Thus, the displacementmember 894 may be actuated by operation of the trigger 820 tosimultaneously release all of the first locking mechanisms 870.

As shown in FIG. 22, where two or more release rods 860 are positionedadjacent to displacement member 894, displacement member 894 maydisplace the two or more release rods 860 simultaneously orsubstantially simultaneously. Accordingly, by pulling trigger 820,locking mechanisms 870 in two or more extendable legs 841 may bereleased simultaneously or substantially simultaneously, and therefore,two or more extendable legs 841 may be extended and/or contractedsimultaneously or substantially simultaneously. Additionally, two ormore extendable legs 841 may be extended and/or contracted separately byresisting the expansion or contraction of at least one of extendablelegs 841 while allowing the expansion or contraction of at least anadditional extendable leg 841.

Handle tube 892 and/or handle 810 may be coupled to connection housing893 through any suitable coupling means. In at least one embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 22, insert member 898 may couple handle tube 892 toconnection housing 893. Insert member 898 may comprise any suitablemember capable of securing handle tube 892 to connection housing 893,including, for example, a shoulder bolt. Insert member 898 may bedisposed within connection housing 893 and in insert groove 899 definedin an exterior of handle tube 892. Insert groove 899 may be defined in aperimeter of handle tube 892. Additionally, handle tube 892 may berotatable with respect to connection housing 893, thereby enablingrotation of handle 810 with respect to connection housing 893, andaccordingly, with respect to extendable legs 841. Handle tube 892 mayadditionally comprise one or more grooves 886 defined in a perimeter ofhandle tube 892. In various embodiments, ball bearings and/or a gasketmay be disposed within one or more grooves 886 to facilitate rotation ofhandle tube 892 with respect to connection housing 893, to balancehandle tube 892 and/or to enable handle tube 892 to be held stationarywith respect to connection housing 892. For example, grease packed ballbearings or a rubber gasket may enable handle tube 892 to be smoothlyrotated and subsequently held in a desired position respective toconnection housing 893, without requiring the use of a locking system tohold handle tube 892 in place.

Extendable legs 841 may be rotationally adjustable with respect to eachother. Additionally, extendable legs 841 may be rotationally adjustablewith respect to handle 810 and/or connection housing 893. According toat least one embodiment, at least one of extendable legs 841 may beattached to joint member 897 as shown in FIG. 22. Joint member 897 maybe at least partially disposed within connection housing 893 and may berotationally coupled to a portion of connection housing 893 through anysuitable means. For example, a hole in joint member 897 may be coupledto a protruding pivot portion of connection housing 893 or a pivotmember dispose within connection housing 893, joint member 897 beingpivotable about the protruding pivot portion or pivot member. Inadditional embodiments, joint member 897 may disposed in connectionhousing 893 in such a manner that joint member 897 is held in place inplace by at least an interior surface portion of connection housing 893while being rotatable with respect to connection housing 893.

Telescoping support stand 800 may additionally comprise at least oneholding member 895 and/or at least one holding spring 896. Each holdingspring 896 and holding member 895 may be disposed at least partiallywithin a recess defined within connection housing 893. Holding members895 may hold extendable legs 841 in position and may prevent extendablelegs 841 from undesirably rotating. Each holding member 895 may comprisea member formed to any suitable shape and size and may include a portionconfigured to fit within a corresponding first positioning notch 887and/or a corresponding second positioning notch 888 defined in jointmember 897. According to various embodiments, telescoping support stand800 may comprise two or more holding members 895 and/or two or moreholding springs 896 for each of joint members 897.

Holding spring 896 may be positioned between holding member 895 andjoint member 897 such that holding spring 896 applies a force on holdingmember 895 toward joint member 897, biasing holding member 895 towardjoint member 897. As shown in FIG. 22, holding spring 896 may apply aforce to holding member 895, pressing a portion of holding member 895into first positioning notch 887 on joint member 897, thereby preventinginadvertent rotation of joint member 897 and holding joint member 897,and likewise extendable leg 841, in place with respect to connectionhousing 893. It may be desirable to prevent joint member 897, andlikewise extendable legs 841, from inadvertently rotating or moving in avariety of circumstances, such as, for example, when legs 841 arepressed close together while in transit from one location to another orwhen legs 841 are positioned and in use to stably support a device, suchas a rifle or a camera.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of handle 810, handle tube 892, andconnection housing 893 coupled to extendable legs 841. As shown in thisfigure, one or more of joint members 897 may be rotated with respect toconnection housing 893. As described above, holding members 895 may holdjoint members 897 in position under a variety of conditions. However,when additional force is applied to a joint member 897, such as a manualforce applied to an extendable leg 841 and transferred to joint member897, joint member 897 may rotate with respect to connection housing 893.As a joint member 897 is rotated respective to connection housing 893,joint member 897 may move holding member 895 out of first positioningnotch 887 toward holding spring 896, compressing holding spring 896.

When joint member 897 is rotated to a point where second positioningnotch 888 is positioned adjacent holding member 895, spring 896 whichapplies a force to holding member 895 may cause a portion of holdingmember 895 to be pressed in second positioning notch 888, as shown inFIG. 23. Holding member 895 may therefore be forced into secondpositioning notch 888, preventing inadvertent rotation of joint member897 and holding extendable leg 841 in place with respect to connectionhousing 893. Accordingly, at least one of extendable legs 841 may beprevented from inadvertently rotating in a variety of circumstances,such as, for example, when legs 841 are extended and in use to stablysupport a device, such as a rifle or a camera.

FIG. 24 is cross-sectional view of handle 810, handle tube 892, andconnection housing 893 coupled to extendable legs 841 that are rotatedoutward with respect to each other. As illustrated in this figure, jointmembers 897 may be positioned such that holding members 895 are pressedinto second positioning notches 888. In this position, extendable legs841 may be located further away from each other in comparison to acircumstance in which holding members 895 are pressed into firstpositioning notches 887. As shown in FIG. 24, displacement member 894may be shaped such that release rod 860 is adjacent to displacementmember 894 when holding members 895 are pressed into second positioningnotches 888. Accordingly, when trigger 820 is pulled toward handle 810,trigger 820 may cause displacement member 894 to displace release rods860, regardless of the orientation of joint members 897 with respect toconnection housing 893.

FIG. 25 is a cut-away perspective view of connection housing 893according to various embodiments. As shown in this figure, joint members897 may comprise rotational apertures 871 defined within a portion ofjoint members 897. Each of rotational apertures 871 may be configured torotate about a pivot member in connection housing 893. Pivot members 867may be coupled to connection housing 893 and at least partially insertedinto rotational apertures 871, securing joint members 897 to connectionhousing 893 and/or allowing rotation of joint members 897 with respectto connection housing 893. Additionally, telescoping support stand 800may comprise washers 877 between joint members 897 and connectionhousing 893 to facilitate rotation of joint members 897 and/or toprevent wear to joint members 897 and/or connection housing 893.

Additionally, FIG. 25 shows additional details of grooves 886 and insertgroove 899 defined in handle tube 892. As shown in this figure, grooves886 and/or insert groove 899 may be defined in an outer portion ofhandle tube 892, at least partially extending around the periphery ofhandle tube 892. As also illustrated in this figure, each of holdingmembers 895 may be pressed against a portion of a joint member 897 byone or more holding springs 896 disposed between the holding member andconnection housing 893.

FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate a telescoping support stand 900 having threeextendable legs 941. As shown in these figures, telescoping supportstand 900 may have a handle 910, a trigger 920, an accessory attachmentmember 912, a rest 930, and two or more extendable legs 941. In certainembodiments, handle 910 may include a trigger lock 927 configured toprevent and/or allow movement of trigger 920 with respect to handle 910.Extendable legs 941 may each include an inner tube 950, an outer tube940, a first end cap 942 attached to a top end of outer tube 940, and asecond end cap 944 attached to a bottom of outer tube 940. Additionally,telescoping support stand 900 may comprise a connection housing 993.Support stand 900 may also comprise a handle tube 992 coupling handle910 to connection housing 993.

Telescoping support stand 900 may also comprise three or more extendablelegs 941 that may each be adjusted by pulling trigger 920 attached tohandle 910. FIGS. 26 and 27 show telescoping support stand 900 havingthree extendable legs 941 in a partially extended configuration. Each ofextendable legs 941 may be rotationally adjustable with respect tohandle 910 and/or connection housing 993. Extendable legs 941 may alsobe rotationally adjustable with respect to each other.

FIG. 26 shows a telescoping support stand 900 having extendable legs 941in a configuration where each of extendable legs 941 is adjacent andsubstantially parallel to each of the other extendable legs 941. In thisconfiguration, magnets in end caps 944 of extendable legs 941 may helpprevent extendable legs 941 from separating from one another in avariety of conditions, such as, for example, when telescoping supportstand 900 is in transit from one location to another. Magnets in endcaps 944 of extendable legs 941 may be attracted to each other withforce sufficient to prevent extendable legs 941 from separating under avariety of conditions, while allowing for extendable legs 941 to bemanually separated from one another by a user of telescoping supportstand 900. FIG. 27 shows a telescoping support stand 900 havingextendable legs 941 in a configuration where each of extendable legs 941is rotated with respect to connection housing 993 in a directiongenerally outward with respect to each of the other extendable legs 941.

Extendable legs 941 may be coupled to connection housing 993 and/orhandle 910 through any suitable coupling means. In certain embodiments,extendable legs may be rotationally adjustable either individually orcollectively with respect to connection housing 993. According toadditional embodiments, pulling trigger 920 may release lockingmechanisms in two or more extendable legs 941 simultaneously orsubstantially simultaneously, which may in turn enable three or moreextendable legs 941 to be extended and/or contracted simultaneously.Telescoping support stand 900 having multiple extendable legs 941 thatare rotationally adjustable and that may be extended and/or contractedsimultaneously and that may be easily and quickly deployed and/oradjusted to suit a variety of conditions and environments.

FIGS. 26 and 27 further illustrate various configurations of extendablelegs 941 on telescoping support stand 900. Extendable legs 941 may beextended to varying lengths, enabling extendable legs 941 to be quicklyand efficiently deployed on a variety of surfaces and terrains. Forexample, extendable legs 941 may be deployed from a contracted positionby holding handle 910 in a desired orientation relative to a particularsurface and pulling trigger 920 toward handle 910, thereby releasinglocking mechanisms 970 in extendable legs 941. According to at least oneembodiment, when locking mechanisms 970 are released, extendable legs941 may automatically extend under gravitational force until second endcaps 944 contact a surface, such as a ground surface, for example. Inother words, when locking mechanisms 970 are released, gravitationalforce may cause outer tubes 940 to slide relative to inner tubes 950toward surface 965 until second end caps 944 on outer tubes 940 contacta surface. In certain embodiments, at least one of extendable legs 941may be rotated outward with respect to connection housing 993, andsubsequently, trigger 920 may be pulled toward handle 910 to deployextendable legs 941 in the desired orientation.

Once second end caps 944 come into contact with a surface, telescopingsupport stand 900 may be further adjusted by holding trigger 920 pulledtoward handle 910 and adjusting the position of handle 910 relative toextendable legs 941 and second end caps 944 contacting surface 965. Oncea desired positions for handle 910 is obtained, trigger 920 may bereleased and/or moved away from handle 910, thereby engaging lockingmechanisms 970. When locking mechanisms 970 are engaged, outer tube 940may be prevented from sliding relative to inner tubes 950. If furtheradjustment is required, trigger 920 may again be pulled toward handle910, and the position of handle 910 may be adjusted relative toextendable legs 941 and second end caps 944. Extendable legs 941 mayalso be contracted by pulling trigger 920 toward handle 910 and slidingouter tubes 940 relative to inner tubes 950 toward connection housing993, either by manually sliding outer tubes 940 or by turningtelescoping support stand 900 upside down.

Extendable legs 941 may be adjusted to varying lengths depending on theheight and position of handle 910 and on the characteristics of aparticular surface. For example, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, extendablelegs 941 may be extended to varying length to suit a particular surfaceso as to maintain handle 910 in a substantially upright position, forexample. Accordingly, telescoping support stand 900 may be quickly andefficiently deployed in a variety of circumstances. Additionally,telescoping support stand 900 having two or more extendable legs 941that may be deployed and adjusted with one hand using trigger 920 toextend extendable legs 941 as described.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional side view of handle 910, handle tube 992,and connection housing 993 coupled to extendable legs 941. As shown inthis figure, enclosed area 985 may be at least partially defined withinconnection housing 993. Air may be exchanged between enclosed area 985and an exterior of telescoping support stand 900 through any suitableroute, as described above (see, e.g., FIG. 22). Air may also beexchanged between enclosed area 985 and enclosed area 980 in each ofextendable legs 941 through any suitable route. For example, a space maybe formed between joint member 997 and release rod 960, allowing passageof air between enclosed area 985 and enclosed area 980. In certainembodiments, a hole may formed in joint member 997, allowing airexchange between enclosed area 985 and enclosed area 980. In additionalembodiments, a space may be formed between joint member 997 and innertube 950 and/or a hole may be formed in joint member 997, allowing airexchange between enclosed area 980 and an exterior of telescopingsupport stand 900.

Trigger 920 may be attached to handle 910 or any other suitable portionof telescoping support stand 900. As trigger 920 is pulled toward handle910, a contact surface 924 of trigger 920 may contact and causedisplacement rod 991 to slide in a longitudinal direction within handletube 992. As shown in FIG. 28, displacement rod 991 may be adjacent toand/or coupled to displacement member 994, and additionally,displacement member 994 may be adjacent to one or more release rods 960.Accordingly, displacement rod 991 may cause displacement member 994 todisplace one or more release rods 960 longitudinally within one or moreextendable legs 941, releasing locking mechanism 970 in the extendablelegs 941 when trigger 920 is pulled toward handle 910. Where two or morerelease rods 960 are positioned adjacent to displacement member 994,displacement member 994 may displace the two or more release rods 960simultaneously or substantially simultaneously. Accordingly, by pullingtrigger 920, locking mechanisms 970 in two or more extendable legs 941may be released simultaneously or substantially simultaneously, andtherefore, two or more extendable legs 941 may be extended and/orcontracted simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.

Handle tube 992 and/or handle 910 may be coupled to connection housing993 through any suitable coupling means. For example, insert member 998may couple handle tube 992 to connection housing 993. Insert member 998may comprise any suitable member capable of securing handle tube 992 toconnection housing 993, including, for example, a shoulder bolt. Insertmember 998 may be disposed within connection housing 993 and in insertgroove 999 formed in an exterior of handle tube 992. Handle tube 992 mayadditionally comprise one or more grooves 986 defined in a perimeter ofhandle tube 992. In various embodiments, ball bearings and/or a gasketmay be disposed within one or more grooves 986 to facilitate rotation ofhandle tube 992 with respect to connection housing 993, to balancehandle tube 992, and/or to enable handle tube 992 to be held stationarywith respect to connection housing 992.

Extendable legs 941 may be rotationally adjustable with respect to eachother. Additionally, extendable legs 941 may be rotationally adjustablewith respect to handle 910 and/or connection housing 993. According toat least one embodiment, at least one of extendable legs 941 may beattached to joint member 997 as shown in FIG. 28. Joint member 997 maybe at least partially disposed within connection housing 993 and may berotationally coupled to a portion of connection housing 993 through anysuitable means. Telescoping support stand 900 may additionally compriseat least one holding member 995 and/or at least one holding spring 996.Holding members 995 may hold extendable legs 941 in position and mayprevent extendable legs 941 from undesirably rotating (see, e.g., FIG.22). Each holding member 995 may comprise a member formed to anysuitable shape and size and may include a portion configured to fitwithin a corresponding first positioning notch 987 and/or acorresponding second positioning notch 988 defined in joint member 997.

FIG. 29 is a cut-away side view of connection housing 993 according tovarious embodiments. As shown in this figure, joint members 997 maycomprise rotational apertures 971 defined within a portion of jointmembers 997. Each of rotational apertures 971 may be configured torotate about a pivot portion or pivot member disposed in connectionhousing 993. According to additional embodiments, pivot members may becoupled to connection housing 993 and may be at least partially insertedinto rotational apertures 971, securing joint members 997 to connectionhousing 993 and/or allowing rotation of joint members 997 with respectto connection housing 993. Additionally, telescoping support stand 900may comprise washers 977 between joint members 997 and connectionhousing 993 to facilitate rotation of joint members 997 and/or toprevent wear to joint members 997 and/or connection housing 993.

Additional details of displacement member 994 and connection housing 993are illustrated in FIG. 29. According to at least one embodiment, asshown in this figure, displacement member 994 may have protrudingportions that fit within corresponding recessed portions formed withinconnection housing 993. The recessed portions formed within connectionhousing 993 may maintain displacement member 994 in a desiredconfiguration as displacement member 994 is moved within connectionhousing 993.

The telescoping support stands described herein may be monopods, bipods,tripods, quadrapods, etc. Telescoping support stands may be used asshooting sticks, hiking sticks, optical equipment stands, microphonestands, telescope stands, or any other type of support stand.Telescoping support stands may be made in various shapes and sizes andthe leg or legs of the telescoping support stands may have any number oftelescoping tubes.

The preceding description has been provided to enable others skilled inthe art to best utilize various aspects of the exemplary embodimentsdescribed herein. This exemplary description is not intended to beexhaustive or to be limited to any precise form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations are possible without departing from thespirit and scope of the instant disclosure. It is desired that theembodiments described herein be considered in all respects illustrativeand not restrictive, and that reference be made to the appended claimsand their equivalents for determining the scope of the instantdisclosure. In addition, for ease of use, the words “including” and“having,” as used in the specification and claims, are interchangeablewith and have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A telescoping support stand comprising: a handleassembly configured for grasping by a user's hand; two or moreextendable legs connected to the handle assembly, each of the extendablelegs comprising: a first tube, a first enclosed area being at leastpartially defined within the first tube; a second tube, a first end ofthe second tube being telescopically slidable within the first tube,wherein a second enclosed area is at least partially defined within thesecond tube; a first locking mechanism attached to the second tube, thefirst locking mechanism releasably securing the first tube to the secondtube to prevent longitudinal movement of the first tube relative to thesecond tube; a first air exchange aperture dimensioned to allow air toflow between the first and second enclosed areas; a single releasemechanism operably coupled to all of the first locking mechanisms, therelease mechanism comprising: a trigger mounted to the handle assemblyand operable by the user's hand while grasping the handle assembly; afirst displacement member coupled to all of the first lockingmechanisms; a second displacement member actuated by operation of thetrigger to move the first displacement member to simultaneously releaseall of the first locking mechanisms.
 2. The telescoping support stand ofclaim 1, wherein the first air exchange aperture comprises an opening inthe first locking mechanism.
 3. The telescoping support stand of claim1, wherein the first air exchange aperture comprises a gap between thefirst locking mechanism and the first tube.
 4. The telescoping supportstand of claim 1, wherein each of the extendable legs further comprisesa second air exchange aperture dimensioned to allow air to exit thesecond enclosed area.
 5. The telescoping support stand of claim 4,wherein the second air exchange aperture comprises an opening in thesecond tube.
 6. The telescoping support stand of claim 1, wherein thefirst locking mechanism comprises: a truncated-cone member attached tothe first end of the second tube; a bearing assembly comprising abearing retainer and a plurality of bearings, the bearing retainercomprising an opening for receiving the truncated-cone member.
 7. Thetelescoping support stand of claim 6, wherein the bearing assembly ismovable between first and second positions relative to the truncatedcone member.
 8. The telescoping support stand of claim 7, wherein thetruncated-cone member is dimensioned to press the bearings against aninterior surface of the first tube when the bearing assembly is in thefirst position, the truncated-cone member being dimensioned to allow thebearings to move away from the interior surface of the first tube whenthe bearing assembly is in the second position.
 9. The telescopingsupport stand of claim 7, wherein the truncated-cone member isdimensioned to immobilize the bearings relative to an interior surfaceof the first tube when the bearing assembly is in the first position,the truncated-cone member being dimensioned to allow the bearings tomove relative to the interior surface of the first tube when the bearingassembly is in the second position.
 10. The telescoping support stand ofclaim 6, wherein the bearing assembly is movable between first andsecond positions relative to the truncated cone member.
 11. Thetelescoping support stand of claim 6, wherein the truncated-cone memberat least partially defines the first air exchange aperture.
 12. Thetelescoping support stand of claim 6, wherein the bearing assembly atleast partially defines the first air exchange aperture.
 13. Thetelescoping support stand of claim 1, wherein the first lockingmechanism at least partially defines each of the first and secondenclosed areas.
 14. The telescoping support stand of claim 1, whereineach of the extendable legs further comprises a release rod attached tothe first locking mechanism and arranged in contact with the firstdisplacement member.
 15. The telescoping support stand of claim 14,wherein the first air exchange aperture comprises an opening in therelease rod.
 16. The telescoping support stand of claim 14, wherein therelease rod is positioned at least partially within the second tube. 17.The telescoping support stand of claim 16, wherein the release rod issubstantially longitudinally parallel to the second tube.
 18. Thetelescoping support stand of claim 14, wherein the release mechanism isconfigured to displace the release rod of each extendable leg to releasethe first locking mechanism and allow longitudinal movement of the firsttube relative to the second tube.
 19. The telescoping support stand ofclaim 18, wherein the first displacement member is positioned adjacentto the release rods, the first displacement member being configured todisplace the release rods.
 20. The telescoping support stand of claim19, wherein the first displacement member is configured to displace therelease rod of all of the extendable legs simultaneously.
 21. Thetelescoping support stand of claim 19, wherein the trigger being movableto cause the first displacement member to displace the release rods. 22.The telescoping support stand of claim 19, wherein the release rods aremovable relative to the first displacement member.
 23. The telescopingsupport stand of claim 19, wherein an end portion of the release rodscontacts a surface of the first displacement member and is movable alongthe surface of the first displacement member.
 24. The telescopingsupport stand of claim 19, wherein each of the extendable legs ismovable relative to the first displacement member.
 25. The telescopingsupport stand of claim 19, wherein an end portion of each of theextendable legs is rotatable about an axis proximate to the firstdisplacement member.
 26. The telescoping support stand of claim 1,further comprising: a third tube partially defining a third enclosedarea, a first end of the third tube being telescopically slidable withinthe second tube; a second locking mechanism attached to the third tube,the second locking mechanism releasably securing the second tube to thethird tube to prevent longitudinal movement of the second tube relativeto the third tube; a second air exchange aperture dimensioned to allowair to flow between the second and third enclosed areas.
 27. Thetelescoping support stand of claim 1, further comprising: a head coupledto the two or more extendable legs, the head being adapted to attach toat least one of: a microphone clip; a camera; a telescope; a spottingscope; a pair of binoculars; a surveyor level; a gun rest.
 28. Thetelescoping support stand of claim 1, wherein the first and seconddisplacement members move longitudinally relative to the handle.
 29. Atelescoping support stand comprising: a handle assembly; at least twoextendable legs that each comprise: a first tube; a second tubecomprising a first end portion telescopically slidable within the firsttube and a second end portion pivotally mounted to the handle assembly;a locking mechanism carried by the second tube and being operablebetween a locked position to prevent longitudinal movement of the secondtube relative to the first tube and a released position that permitslongitudinal movement of the second tube relative to the first tube; arelease rod extending through the second tube and configured to actuatethe locking mechanism; a release mechanism coupled to the handleassembly and being operable to simultaneously move all of the releaserods to actuate the locking mechanisms between locked and releasedpositions, the release mechanism including a trigger member mounted tothe handle assembly and operable to actuate the release mechanism. 30.The telescoping support stand of claim 29, further comprising a firstair path between the first and second tube defined by the lockingmechanism when in the released position, and a second air path out ofthe second tube at the second end portion of the second tube.
 31. Thetelescoping support stand of claim 29, wherein the trigger member isaccessible outside the handle assembly, and the release mechanismincludes at least one displacement member coupled between the triggermember and the release rod to move the release rod upon operation of thetrigger member.
 32. The telescoping support stand of claim 29, whereinthe trigger member includes first and second ends, the first end beingpivotally attached to the handle assembly and the second end beingmovable radially inward and radially outward during operation.
 33. Thetelescoping support stand of claim 29, wherein the trigger member isbiased extending radially outward from the handle assembly to providethe locked position for the locking mechanism.
 34. The telescopingsupport stand of claim 29, wherein the trigger member is pivotable abouta pivot axis arranged perpendicular to a length dimension of the handleassembly.
 35. The telescoping support stand of claim 29, furthercomprising a trigger lock configured to control movement of the triggermember relative to the handle assembly.